[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 7] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 9479] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]RECOGNIZING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR INTERNATIONAL VISITORS, AND EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR DESIGNATION OF FEBRUARY 16, 2011, AS ``CITIZEN DIPLOMACY DAY'' ______ HON. JAMES P. MORAN of virginia in the house of representatives Wednesday, May 26, 2010 Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing the 50th anniversary of the National Council for International Visitors, NCIV--a nonprofit leader in citizen diplomacy-- and supporting designation of February 16, 2011, as ``Citizen Diplomacy Day.'' NCIV is a membership association, with members based in congressional districts throughout the nation, dedicated to promoting excellence in citizen diplomacy--the concept that individual citizens have the right and responsibility to help shape U.S. foreign relations ``one handshake at a time.'' NCIV's nationwide network comprises 92 community organizations as well as federal agencies, associate members, and individuals. With leadership and training provided by NCIV, member organizations create professional connections, provide cultural activities, and offer home hospitality opportunities for foreign leaders and specialists. Each year, the aggregate efforts of NCIV members involve more than 80,000 volunteers. The NCIV network is the private-sector partner of the U.S. Department of State for the International Visitor Leadership Program, IVLP, a long-standing, successful initiative for strengthening U.S. foreign relations. More than 285 current and former heads of state (including F.W. de Klerk, Anwar Sadat, Manmohan Singh, Nicolas Sarkozy, and Morgan Tsvangarai) and approximately 1,700 cabinet-level ministers have participated in the IVLP, which U.S. ambassadors have repeatedly ranked first among 63 U.S. public diplomacy initiatives. Through citizen diplomacy, the NCIV network and the IVLP have positively affected hundreds of thousands of lives in America and abroad--among countless other ways, by: Empowering a key reformer to stand up for democracy and freedom following the February 2010 coup in Niger; Introducing high school students in Reno, Nevada, to Moroccan journalists and Afghan women leaders; Sharing best practices with leaders of Malaysian disaster-relief nonprofits in the wake of a devastating earthquake and tsunami; Connecting an environmental and water resources engineering firm from Portland, Oregon, to business opportunities with China; and Breaking stereotypes about Americans for a Yemeni governance and conflict management expert. The success of NCIV is based on patriotic citizens, entrepreneurs, and small businesses coming together to help promote America abroad while boosting the local economy. By working with the State Department, NCIV is an important source of income for many throughout the U.S. based on the increased economic activity generated by international visitors. Nearly the entire IVLP budget is spent within the United States, where it generates millions of dollars in local economic activity. NCIV members raise an additional $6 for every dollar they receive in federal funding, all of which is spent locally. Furthermore, by bringing foreign leaders to U.S. schools, government agencies, and businesses, the NCIV network and the IVLP help U.S. communities build a more globally literate, competitive workforce. Please join me in demonstrating congressional support for this national network of citizen diplomats by recognizing NCIV's 50th anniversary and recommending designation of February 16, 2011, as Citizen Diplomacy Day. Cosponsors of Legislation Introduced by the Rep. Jim Moran The Honorable Donald Manzullo, the Honorable Howard Coble, the Honorable Keith Ellison, the Honorable Eddie Bernice Johnson, the Honorable Lee Terry, the Honorable Mark Steven Kirk, the Honorable Peter Welch, the Honorable Betty McCollum, the Honorable Patrick Murphy, the Honorable John Boozman, the Honorable Sue Wilkins Myrick, the Honorable Steven Rothman, the Honorable Denny Rehberg, the Honorable Jan Schakowsky, the Honorable Daniel B. Maffei. ____________________